Engine-driven generators used for secondary power for a protected premises fire alarm system must comply with which code article?

Engine-driven generators used for secondary power for a protected premises fire alarm system must comply with which code article?

• A. NFPA 70 Article 600
• B. NFPA 70 Article 700
• C. NFPA 70 Article 300
• D. NFPA 72 Article 10

Answer: (B)

Emergency power for a protected premises fire alarm system is treated as an emergency system, so it falls under NFPA 70 Article 700. This article covers how emergency power sources—such as engine-driven generators—must be installed and wired to automatically start and transfer the load to the fire alarm system when normal power fails. It ensures life-safety circuits like fire alarm and emergency signaling stay powered during outages, and it specifies coordination with transfer switches, equipment suitability, and testing. The other articles aren’t about emergency power provisions for life-safety loads: Article 600 deals with electrical signs and similar equipment, Article 300 covers general wiring methods, and Article 10 provides basic definitions used elsewhere in NFPA 70.

Emergency power for a protected premises fire alarm system is treated as an emergency system, so it falls under NFPA 70 Article 700. This article covers how emergency power sources—such as engine-driven generators—must be installed and wired to automatically start and transfer the load to the fire alarm system when normal power fails. It ensures life-safety circuits like fire alarm and emergency signaling stay powered during outages, and it specifies coordination with transfer switches, equipment suitability, and testing.

The other articles aren’t about emergency power provisions for life-safety loads: Article 600 deals with electrical signs and similar equipment, Article 300 covers general wiring methods, and Article 10 provides basic definitions used elsewhere in NFPA 70.